Golf tee shot-green placement video/imaging camera monitoring and measuring system and method

ABSTRACT

A golf tee shot-green placement measuring system for measuring distances of tee shots upon a predetermined green from the cup or hole, and a method of performing such measurement, comprises the use of a video camera which once locked in position with respect to a predetermined region of the green, can measure the distances of golf balls from the green cup or hole through pixel grid measurements and the relationship of such pixels to inch dimensions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to amusement systems, andmore particularly to a new and improved amusement system, and a methodof operating the same, which is especially designed for use inconnection with a golf course for monitoring the flight of individualgolf tee shots from a predetermined or particular tee of the golfcourse, or from any one of a multitude of predetermined or particulartees of the golf course, onto a corresponding predetermined orparticular one of the golf course greens so as to determine the presenceof the tee shots upon the predetermined or particular green, so as tomeasure the distance of each tee shot golf ball from the cup of thepredetermined or particular golf course green, and for determining thepresence of golf ball tee shots which in fact have landed within the cupof the predetermined or particular golf course green as a hole-in-onetee shot, all as part of a contest of skill for which prize money and/ornon-monetary prizes are awarded.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Over the years, particularly within recent times, and at leastdue in part to the emergence of a substantially large number of new,young, exciting, and competitive professional golfers upon theProfessional Golfer Association (PGA) tour, golf has become one of theworld's favorite and most widely played recreational activities. Whilemost golfers will certainly agree that the sport is quite challenging,and in addition, at times quite frustrating, it is certainly, for themost part, very enjoyable and relaxing, which accounts for its extremelywidespread popularity. As is often the case, however, even with thevarious challenges inherently integrated into the sport, it is almostnatural for golfers, particularly for those golfers playing together asa group, such as, for example, within a foursome, to have a desire topursue additional challenges or competition during their usual rounds ofgolf. This is particularly true if such an additional challenge orcompetition comprises a combination of skill, amusement, and thepotential for remuneration, it having been additionally experienced thatsuch an added challenge or competition further enhances or fostersfriendship, camaraderie, and the like between the members of the group.It is necessary, however, that the aforenoted additional challenge orcompetition be capable of being integrally incorporated within theoverall round of golf without upsetting the continuity of the round ofgolf for both participants and non-participants of the particular golfgroup, as well as with respect to other groups of golfers who may followthe particular group of golfers engaging in such additional challenge orcompetition.

[0003] What has been envisioned or contemplated by means of the presentinvention is the implementation and monitoring of a hole-in-onecompetition for a plurality of participating golfers playing within adefined or predetermined group of golfers, or even for a soleparticipating golfer, and concomitant therewith, the implementation andmonitoring of a competition comprising golf tee shots, of one or moreparticipating players, onto the green of a predetermined par-three holeof the golf course wherein the players will also be awarded a variety ofprizes based upon both the presence of the tee shots upon the particularor predetermined green, as well as the distance of the tee shots fromthe hole or cup within a prescribed or predetermined region surroundingthe hole or cup. A system similar to the aforenoted contemplated orenvisioned system has been previously disclosed within U.S. Pat. No.5,884,913 which is entitled GOLF TEE SHOT-GREEN PLACEMENT MONITORINGSYSTEM and which issued on Mar. 23, 1999 to Daniel E. Cohen.

[0004] Briefly, as disclosed within the aforenoted patent, the systemcomprises three different units or sub-systems which are integratedtogether by means of suitable communication links. More particularly,the three different units or sub-systems comprise a first clubhouse baseunit or sub-system which effectively manages or controls the operationof the overall system, a second tee unit or sub-system which is locatedat a predetermined or particular par-three hole of the golf course andwhich effectively initiates the operation of the system once aparticipating golfer has reached the predetermined or particularpar-three hole of the golf course and has activated the tee unit orsub-system, and a third green unit or sub-system which is located uponthe green of the predetermined or particular par-three hole of the golfcourse and which is activated by means of the second tee unit orsub-system so as to timely monitor the status of the incoming tee shots.

[0005] In connection with the green unit or sub-system, the cup of thepredetermined or particular par-three hole of the golf course has beenmodified so as to integrally incorporate therein first detection meansfor detecting the presence of an incoming golf ball which would qualifyas a hole-in-one. In addition, the flag pole operatively associated withthe cup of the predetermined or particular parthree hole has also beenmodified so as to integrally incorporate therein second detection meansfor detecting the presence of incoming golf balls which effectively landupon the predetermined or particular green within predetermineddistances from the cup. While the aforenoted patented system has beendeemed quite satisfactory, it has been determined that the seconddetection means could desirably be improved so as to ensure enhancedaccuracy in determining the disposition or location of the various golfballs upon the green and relative to the cup. For example, in view ofthe fact that the second detection means is integrally incorporatedwithin the flag pole operatively associated with the cup of thepredetermined or particular par-three hole, the effective field of viewof such second detection means may sometimes be obscured or otherwiseadversely affected by means of the particular terrain comprising thegreen of the predetermined or particular par-three hole. Consequently, aparticular participant's golf ball may not in fact be detected by suchdetection means, or alternatively, the determination of the distance ofsuch golf ball to the cup may be inaccurately skewed. In either case,the results of the contest may not be valid.

[0006] A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved golftee shot-green placement video camera monitoring and measuring system,and a method of operating the same, wherein in addition to thehole-in-one detection system, and in lieu of the monitoring andpin-closeness distance measurement system being located at a relativelylow elevational position upon the green as a result of effectively beingincorporated within the flag pole operatively associated with the cup ofthe predeterminedly or particularly designated par-three hole, themonitoring and measuring system should be located at a relatively highelevational position, and at a location disposed adjacent to or off toone side of the green of the predeterminedly or particularly designatedpar-three hole, such that the monitoring and measuring equipment canfirstly optically or visually view the entire green from a panoramicpoint of view so as to detect tee shots which have landed upon thegreen, such that the monitoring and measuring equipment can secondly becalibrated with respect to the pin and cup so as to be properly orientedwith respect to the green regardless of the particular placement orlocation of the pin and cup upon the green, and such that the monitoringand measuring equipment can thirdly be operated with a limited field ofview perspective so as to ensure the valid monitoring of the green areaas well as the accurate measuring of the distances of the tee-shot golfballs from the cup of the predeterminedly or particularly designatedpar-three hole upon the particular golf course or playing surface.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea new and improved golf tee-shot hole-in one detection, green presence,and pin-closeness distance measurement system, and a method of operatingthe same.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved golf tee-shot hole-in one detection, green presence, andpin-closeness distance measurement system, and a method of operating thesame, wherein the golf tee-shot hole-in-one detecting, green presence,and pincloseness distance measurement system of the present inventioncan effectively overcome the various operational disadvantagescharacteristic of the PRIOR ART systems or apparatus.

[0009] An additional object of the present invention is to provide a newand improved golf tee-shot hole-in-one detection, green presence, andpin-closeness distance measurement system, and a method of operating thesame, wherein the golf tee-shot hole-in one detection, green presence,and pin-closeness distance measurement system can be utilized to notonly detect the presence of a hole-in-one golf tee shot, but inaddition, can detect the presence of any tee shots upon the green aswell as accurately determine the distances of golf balls, that havelanded upon the green and within a predetermined distance, field, orrange surrounding the hole or cup, from the cup.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved golf tee-shot hole-in-one detection, green presence, andpin-closeness distance measurement system, and a method of operating thesame, wherein the golf tee-shot hole-in-one detection, green presence,and pincloseness distance measurement system can be utilized toinitially optically or visually view the entire green from a panoramicpoint of view, and to secondly calibrate the system with respect to thepin and cup so as to properly orient the system with respect to thegreen regardless of the particular placement or location of the pin andcup upon the green.

[0011] A last object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved golf tee-shot hole-in-one detection, green presence, andpin-closeness distance measurement system, and a method of operating thesame, wherein the golf tee-shot hole-in-one detection, green presence,and pincloseness distance measurement system can be utilized toinitially optically or visually view the entire green from a panoramicpoint of view, to secondly calibrate the system with respect to the pinand cup so as to properly orient the system with respect to the greenregardless of the particular placement or location of the pin and cupupon the green, and to thirdly operate with a limited field of viewperspective so as to ensure the accurate measurement of the distances ofthe tee-shot golf balls from the cup of the predeterminedly orparticularly designated par-three hole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordancewith the teachings and principles of the present invention through theprovision of a new and improved golf tee-shot hole-in-one detection,green presence, and pincloseness distance measurement system, and amethod of operating the same, which basically comprises three differentunits or sub-systems interrelated or interconnected together by means ofsuitable communication lines. More particularly, the new and improvedsystem of the present invention comprises a first base unit orsub-system which is located within the golf course club house, a secondtee unit or sub-system which is located upon the tee of anypredetermined or particularly designated three-par hole upon which thecontest or tournament will be played, and a third green unit orsub-system which is located at any optically or visually advantageousposition adjacent to the green of the predetermined or particularlydesignated three-par hole upon which the contest or tournament is beingplayed. The base or club house unit or sub-system manages the operationof the entire system by initially issuing contest entry cards,transmitting data concerning a particular entry to the memory of acentral computer as well as to the memory of the tee unit or sub-systemlocated upon the tee of the predetermined or particularly designatedthree-par hole upon which the contest or tournament will be played,receiving data from the green unit or sub-system located upon the greenof the predetermined or particularly designated three-par hole uponwhich the contest or tournament is being played, and ultimatelyprocessing all data so as to validate the results of a particularcontest.

[0013] The tee unit or sub-system is activated by means of thecontestant when the contestant arrives at the tee of the predeterminedor particularly designated three-par hole upon which the contest ortournament is to be played, and in turn, activation of the tee unit orsub-system activates the green unit of the predetermined or particularlydesignated three-par hole upon which the contest or tournament will beplayed such that when the tee shot from the tee of the predetermined orparticularly designated three-par hole upon which the contest ortournament is being played arrives at the green of the predetermined orparticularly designated three-par hole upon which the contest ortournament is being played, the tee shot can be detected to either bephysically within the cup either as a hole-in-one, or simply be at alocation upon the green which is located in effect near the outerperiphery of the green, or can be readily determined to be within apredetermined distance from the cup of the par-three hole. Data from thegreen unit or sub-system, concerning the particular tee shot and itsresult either as a hole-in-one, upon the outskirts of the green, orwithin a predetermined distance from the cup, in addition to beingtransmitted to the memory of the central computer for ultimatevalidation and processing of the contest prize money, is alsotransmitted back to the tee unit so that the participant can readilyappreciate or know the status of his or her tee shot. The computerlocated within the base or club house unit or sub-system is alsoutilized to control the cameras disposed at the green of thepredetermined or particularly designated three-par hole upon which thecontest or tournament will be played so as to properly calibrate thecameras with respect to, for example, the location of the pin or cupupon the green of the predetermined or particularly designated three-parhole upon which the contest or tournament is being played.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of thepresent invention will be more fully appreciated from the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference characters designate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating the overall golf teeshot-green placement distance measurement system constructed inaccordance with the principles and teachings of the present inventionand showing the cooperative parts thereof;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a tee unit or sub-systemcomponent of the overall system of the present invention as illustratedwithin FIG. 1 and as located at the tee of the predetermined orparticularly designated three-par hole upon which the contest is beingplayed;

[0017]FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in cross-section, of thehole or cup component of the tee unit or sub-system as constructed inaccordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention asillustrated within FIG. 1 and as located upon the green of thepredetermined or particularly designated three-par hole upon which thecontest is being played; and

[0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the camera system located adjacentto the green of the predetermined or particularly designated three-parhole upon which the contest or tournament is being played.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1thereof, the new and improved golf tee shot-green placement measurementsystem constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings ofthe present invention is disclosed and is generally indicated by thereference character 10. The system 10 has been constructed so as to, ineffect, facilitate the operation and monitoring of a hole-in-onechallenge or contest for participating golfers, wherein the hole-in-onechallenge or contest is to be played upon one or more particularly orpredeterminedly selected holes of a golf course upon which the system ofthe present invention has been installed. In conjunction with thehole-in-one challenge or contest, the system of the present inventionalso facilitates the operation and monitoring of auxiliary on-the-greenand closest-to-the-pin challenges or contests for the participatinggolfers, wherein for those tee shots which do not comprise holes-in-one,such tee shots can nevertheless be considered to be winning tee shots,on a graduated scale, if the tee shots land either upon an outerperipheral or outskirt portion of the green of the particular orpredeterminedly selected hole of the golf course or within predetermineddistances from the hole or cup as may be pre-established in accordancewith the rules of the challenge or contest.

[0020] The hole-in-one, on-the-green, and closest-to-the-pin challengesor contests are usually entered into by participating golfers prior tothe commencement of their particular round of golf at a particular golfcourse upon which the system of the present invention has beeninstalled, although this process may be altered as will be discussedhereinafter, and it is noted that for the purposes of the presentinvention, the golf course may comprise any type of golf course, or evena surface region upon which golf-type tee shots might be implemented,such as, for example, an eighteen-hole regulation golf course, anine-hole golf course or round of golf, a driving range, a miniaturegolf course, a putting range, or the like. More particularly, inaccordance with the operation of the both the hole-in-one, on-the-green,and closest-to-the-pin challenges or contests, if a particular golferwants to participate in the challenges or contests, he or she wouldnormally make such arrangements prior to the commencement of his or herround of golf. For example, at the time that the golfer is paying forhis or her green fee within the club house, in preparation for startinghis or her round of golf in accordance with his or her tee-off time, thegolfer would pay, for example, an additional nominal charge or fee inreturn for which, if the golfer achieves a hole-in-one at thepredetermined par-three hole of the golf course, or upon a designatedhole of a putting green or a miniature golf course, he or she willreceive predetermined prize money, or non-monetary prizes, commensuratewith the amount of money he or she originally paid. For example, if thegolfer originally pays a predetermined fee or charge and achieves ahole-in-one upon the predeterminedly selected par-three hole of the golfcourse, then the golfer will receive a predetermined monetary prize, oralternatively, a predetermined non-monetary prize, such as, for example,a new car, a vacation trip, and the like. Similar monetary ornon-monetary prizes will be awarded, for example, upon a graduatedscale, for on-the-green and closest-to-the-pin locations of the teeshots. It is of course to be further understood that the particularlyestablished fees and prizes may be varied as determined by means of themanagement of the particular golf course upon which the system of thepresent invention has been installed. In addition, in accordance withmanagement policies prevalent at a particular golf course or club, inlieu of the participating golfers paying an extra contest or challengeentry fee, such fees can in effect be included within the normal greenfee that the club or golf course charges all golfers for playing uponits golf course.

[0021] Continuing still further, and as has been noted hereinbefore, forthose tee shots that do not become holes-in-one, monetary andnon-monetary prizes may also be awarded upon a graduated scale for thoseshots that land upon the outskirts or peripheral regions of the green orupon the green within specified distances from the hole or cup. Forexample, if the golfer initially paid a predetermined fee and if his teeshot simply lands upon, for example, an outskirt or peripheral region ofthe green, he would then be paid a predetermined nominal amount of prizemoney or receive an appropriate non-monetary prize, however, if thegolfer places his or her tee shot anywhere within ten feet from the cupor hole, the golfer would receive predetermined monetary or non-monetaryprizes depending upon the distance of the shot from the hole or cup asmeasured in one-foot increments. Again, it is to be understood that theparticularly established fees and prizes may be varied as determined bythe management of the particular golf course upon which the system ofthe present invention has been installed.

[0022] It is to be further understood that other contests may beestablished or arranged by means of the golf course management. Forexample, in addition to daily hole-in-one, on-the-green, andclosest-to-the-pin contests, an annual hole-in-one, on-the-green, andclosest-to-the-pin contest may be held for all previous hole-in-one,on-the-green, and closest-to-the-pin winners who have won prizes withinthe past year. Alternatively, in connection with the closest-to-the-pincontests or challenges, it may be decided that a prize or payment may beawarded only to that golfer, within a participating group of golfers,for example, a foursome, whose tee shot was in fact closest to the pin.Still further, it may be decided that a prize or payment may be awardedonly to that golfer who had the best or closest tee shot recorded uponthe particular golf course within a particular day. Still yet further,contests may be held upon a local, regional, or national basis, betweendifferent golfers at different golf courses, as a result of theclosest-to-the-pin data being entered into the particular golf course'scomputer memory, as will become more apparent hereinafter. In any case,it is to be understood that the present invention is not directed towardor meant to establish the particular rules, fees, or circumstances underwhich the particular prizes are to be awarded, but to the contrary, thepresent invention is directed toward a system for establishing,implementing, and monitoring the hole-in-one, on-the-green, andclosest-to-the-pin contests or challenges.

[0023] Referring then again to FIG. 1, and in order to better understandand appreciate the structural arrangement of the various componentscomprising the present invention system 10, it is to be initially notedthat the system 10 of the present invention will be established orerected upon one or more predetermined par-three holes of the regulationgolf course, or upon one or more particular holes of a putting green,miniature golf course, or the like. Accordingly, prior to thecommencement of a round of golf, if a particular golfer, for example,chooses to participate in the hole-in-one, on-the-green, orclosest-to-the-pin contest or challenge, then he or she will pay theaforenoted predetermined nominal fee in the golf course club house, if,in this instance, such entry fee is not already included within thenormal green fee. In particular, the golf course club house may beprovided with a computer terminal 12 which therefore issues the golfer aticket, a card, or the like, with printed indicia or bar codeinformation recorded thereon identifying the golf course, the golfer,the date and time, the golfer's tee-off time, the amount of money paid,and any other information which may be deemed pertinent or necessary inorder to identify the particular golfer and to distinguish him or herfrom the other golfers. In particular, the club house computer terminal12 may comprise a keypad 14 by means of which information may beinputted into the computer's memory, and a printer 16 by means of whicha ticket or card, having the pertinent golf course and golferinformation printed thereon either in alphanumeric form, a bar code, amagnetic strip, or the like, may be issued to the golfer. Theinformation concerning the particular transaction with respect to theparticular golfer is also transmitted by means of the club housecomputer 12 to a central computer 18 by means of any suitableconventionally available communication link or line 20, such as, forexample, a hardwire communication line, a wireless connection, aradio-frequency (RF) link, a fiber optic link, a satellite link, or thelike, and it is noted that the central computer 18 may be located withinthe golf course club house, at another local location, or even at aremote national location by means of which different golf courseslocated within different regions of the country may be integrallyconnected.

[0024] With reference now being additionally made to FIG. 2, when theparticipating golfer arrives at any one of the particular predeterminedor pre-selected par-three holes of the golf course upon which thechallenge or contest, implemented by means of the system of the presentinvention, is to be played, he or she will approach a tee unit,generally indicated by the reference character 30, which is located uponor immediately adjacent to the tee area of the afore-noted par-threehole. The tee unit 30 is seen to comprise a housing 32 within which asuitable computer data storage memory component, not shown, is disposed,and the housing 32 is fixedly mounted upon a standard 34 which, in turn,is fixedly mounted upon a base or foundation unit 36. Housing 32 isprovided with a keypad 38, a reader 40, which may be, for example, a barcode reader (BCR), an optical character recognition (OCR) reader, or thelike, and a display window or screen 42. A communication link or line44, similar to the communication link or line 20, interconnects the clubhouse computer terminal 12 to the tee unit computer terminal 32, and inthis manner, the information concerning the participating golfer and hisgolf contest or challenge participation, as originally appearing uponthe ticket or card issued by means of the club house computer printer16, is transmitted to the computer terminal 32 of the tee unit 30.

[0025] Accordingly, when the golfer is present upon the designatedpar-three hole tee, if the card or ticket he or she received from theclub house computer terminal 12 is of the type comprising alphanumericinformation, he or she can insert such information into the tee computerterminal 32 by means of keypad 38. On the other hand, if the card orticket contains a magnetic strip, bar code, or the like, the golfer maysimply insert the card or ticket within the tee unit card reader 40. Ineither case, the computer memory of the tee unit computer 32 willreceive such inputted data, compare such data with the informationpreviously transmitted thereto by means of communication link or line44, and validate the data so as to thereby permit the golfer toparticipate in the challenge or contest. It is also noted that the cardreader 40 can accept credit cards, for example, whereby if a particulargolfer decides to enter the contest or challenge, but did not previouslypay his entry fee, if required, while he or she was in the club house,the particular golfer can nevertheless enter or participate in thecontest or challenge. In either case, the display window or screen 42provides verification to the golfer that his or her information has beenproperly entered into and validated by the system and that he or she istherefore cleared to proceed with his or her tee shot in connection withthe contest or challenge. In addition, the information concerning theparticular golfer and his associated validated information istransmitted back to the club house computer terminal 12 by means of theaforenoted communication link or line 44 whereby suitable informationconcerning the particular golfer can be displayed within the club houseupon a suitable display or board 46 whereby, for example, people withinthe club house can be aware and keep track of the status of theparticular con-tests or challenges, display or board 46 being incommunication with the club house computer terminal 12 by means of asuitable communication link 48. It is lastly noted that both the displaywindow or screen 42 at the tee, as well as the display or board 46within the club house, can also display advertising material when notbeing used in connection with the display of contest or challengeinformation.

[0026] Substantially simultaneously with, and a result of, theaforenoted verification and validation of the participating golfer'scredentials at the tee unit or sub-system 30, the tee unit or sub-system30 will activate a green unit 50 through means of a communication linkor line 52, and it is seen that the green unit 50 comprises severaldifferent units or components which are located upon and adjacent to thegreen of the predetermined or preselected par-three hole of the golfcourse. The tee unit or sub-system 30 will maintain the green unit 50active for a predetermined period of time sufficient enough for thegolfer present at the tee area to hit his tee shot, for the tee shot toreach the green area, and for the various units or components of thegreen unit or sub-system 50 to detect the presence of the tee shot uponthe green. The green unit or sub-system 50 is schematically illustratedwithin FIG. 1, while the details of the green unit or sub-system 50 areillustrated within FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0027] More particularly, the first component of the green unit orsub-system 50 comprises a cup member 52 which is similar to aconventional golf course green cup defining a golf course green hole,however, the cup member 52 of the present invention has been modifiedfor the purposes of the present invention. The cup member 52 is fixedlymounted within the ground 54 so as to be disposed below ground level 56,and inside the cup member 52, there is disposed an inclined ramp orsurface member 58. At the lower end portion or side of the inclined rampor surface member 58, there is provided a substantially semi-circularrecessed portion or pocket 60. In this manner, when a golf ball entersthe cup member 52, regardless of the circumferential position at whichthe golf ball initially enters the cup member 52, the ball will rollunder the influence of gravity toward the recessed portion or pocketregion 60 so as to be seated therein. The lowest point of the recessedportion or pocket region 60 has operatively associated therewith aphotodetector aperture 62, in connection with which there is provided asuitable photodetector, not shown, and accordingly, when a golf ballenters the cup member 52, its presence can in fact be readily detectedby means of the photodetector. Accordingly, when, for example, the teeshot of a participating golfer enters the cup member 52 and is detectedby means of the photodetector, the photodetector can readily verify thestatus of the tee-shot as a hole-in-one. In order to maintain the cupmember 52 free of any accumulated rain water, for example, the cupmember 52 is further provided with a plurality of drain holes, only oneof which is shown at 64. It is also to be appreciated that in lieu of aphotodetector, any other suitable means may be employed within the cupmember 52 for detecting the presence of the golf ball there within, suchas, for example, a suitable solenoid mechanism.

[0028] Still further, a flag pole holder assembly is provided for use inconnection with the cup member 52, and the flag pole holder assemblycomprises a base member 66 fixedly mounted within the lower portion ofthe cup member 52. The lower end portion of the flag pole is disclosedat 68 and extends vertically upwardly from the base member 66, and thelower end portion 68 of the flag pole is fixedly mounted within asubstantially frustoconically shaped support member 70 which is adaptedto be removably mounted within a similarly shaped aperture portion 72formed within the central portion of the base member 66. The uppersurface portion of the base member 66 is seen to comprise a majorportion of the inclined ramp member or surface portion 58, and in asimilar manner, when the flag pole support member 70 is properly mountedwithin the base member aperture 72, the upper surface portion of theflag pole support member 70 likewise forms a minor central portion ofthe inclined ramp member or surface portion 58. A printed circuit board74 is operatively associated with the aforenoted photodetector, notshown, and suitable electrical connectors 76,78 are operatively mountedupon the base member 66 and the flag pole support member 70. Electricalconnector 78 is in turn elecrically connected as at 80 to a suitablecommunication unit or transmitter, not shown, which is adapted tocommunicate with a computer unit integrally incorporated within thegreen unit or sub-system 50. It is thus readily apparent that the entirecup 52 and flagpole assembly 68 comprises, in effect, an integral unitwhich may be moved from location to location upon the green of theparticularly or predeterminedly designated par-three hole as isconventionally done by means of golf course greens-keeper personnel.

[0029] It is further noted that green unit or sub-system 50 is, in turn,adapted to be disposed in communication with the club house computerterminal 12 by means of a communication link or line 82, and in thismanner, for example, hole-in-one results occurring at the particular orpredetermined par-three hole green may be transmitted to the club housecomputer terminal 12 such that the results may be recorded within thememory of the club house computer 12 as well as being displayed upon theaforenoted display or board 46 within the club house such that people inthe club house can be aware of the contest or challenge results in amanner similar to people checking the leader board at nationallytelevised golf tournaments. In addition, such results are alsotransmitted back to the tee unit 30 by means of communication line orlink 52 for display upon screen 42 so as to inform the golfer of theresults of his or her tee shot, and such results are likewisetransmitted from the club house computer 12 to the central computer 18by means of the communication line or link 20. It is also noted that inconnection with all of the equipment or communication componentscomprising the present invention, electrical power may be provided bymeans of conventional power lines and facilities adjacent to or upon theparticular golf course, or alternatively, the various componentscomprising the entire system 10 may be provided with electrical power bymeans of suitable rechargeable batteries, not shown, incorporated withinthe various units of the system. For example, batteries may bephysically incorporated within the base unit 36 of the tee unit 30, orwithin a particular one of the components of the green unit 50, thedetails of which will be more fully explained hereinafter.

[0030] With reference still being made to FIG. 1, it is further seenthat in accordance with the teachings and principles of the presentinvention, a plurality of cameras 84, 86,88,90 are disposed within thevicinity of both the tee and green regions of the particularpredetermined par-three hole of the golf course upon which the contestor challenge is being conducted in order to not only monitor the contestor challenge, but in addition, to accurately measure the distance of thevarious tee shots which land upon the green area as effective entrieswithin the contest or challenge. More particularly, the first one of thecameras 84 is adapted to be disposed within the vicinity of the tee areaand has operatively associated therewith a camera controller 92 which isoperatively connected to the tee unit 30 by means of a suitablecommunication line or link 94. The camera controller 92 is, in turn,operatively connected to the camera 84 by means of a suitablecommunication line or link 96, and in this manner, the camera 84 can beactivated by means of the tee unit 30 when the participating golferinitiates the operation of the tee unit 30 by means of his credentials.In particular, camera 84 may be utilized to, for example, televise andvideotape the outbound tee shot of the participating golfer with respectto the tee area. Obviously, the televised flight of the golf ball teeshot can be viewed back in the club house upon the display or board 46,or suitable television monitors, not shown, such that, again, peoplewithin the club house can be aware of the status of the particulargolfers participating within the various contests or challenges.

[0031] In a similar manner, the second one of the cameras 86 is adaptedto be disposed within the vicinity, but just outside, of the green areaso as not to interfere with the incoming tee shots, and has operativelyassociated therewith a camera controller 98 which is also operativelyconnected to the tee unit 30 by means of a suitable communication lineor link 100 so as to be activated by means of the tee unit 30 inpreparation for a tee shot to be shortly made by a participating golfer.The camera controller 98 is, in turn, operatively connected to thecamera 86 by means of a suitable communication line or link 102, and inthis manner, the camera 86 can be activated by means of the tee unit 30so as to be utilized to, for example, televise and videotape the inboundtee shot of the participating golfer with respect to the green area.Obviously, again, the televised flight of the golf ball tee shot can beviewed back in the club house upon the display or board 46 or uponsuitable television monitors, not shown, such that people within theclub house can be aware of the status of the particular golfersparticipating within the various contests or challenges.

[0032] Continuing still further, the third one of the cameras 88 is alsoadapted to be disposed within the vicinity, but just outside, of thegreen area so as not to interfere with the incoming tee shots, and hasoperatively associated therewith a camera controller 104 which is alsooperatively connected to the tee unit 30 by means of a suitablecommunication line or link 106 so as to be activated by means of the teeunit 30 when the participating golfer has activated the tee unit 30. Thecamera controller 104 is, in turn, operatively connected to the camera88 by means of a suitable communication line or link 108, and in thismanner, the camera 86 can be activated by means of the tee unit 30 so asto be utilized to, for example, continuously televise and videotape thegreen area from a panoramic perspective or point of view. Moreparticularly, the third camera 88 serves two functions. Firstly, camera88 provides visual security with respect to the entire green area,particularly in combination with the first and second video cameras84,86, so as to effectively prevent any fraudulent disposition orappearance of any golf balls upon the green area other than thoselegitimately shot from the tee area by means of the participatinggolfers. Secondly, third camera 88 can detect the presence of tee shotswhich have landed, for example, upon the outskirts or peripheral regionsof the green whereby such tee shots can in fact qualify for prizes whichhave not landed upon the green within predeterminedly specifieddistances from the cup, or which have not been holes-in-one, and dataconcerning such on-the-outskirt green tee shots can be transmitted tothe computer integrally incorporated within the green unit 50. Again,the images of third camera 88 can also be transmitted back to the clubhouse for viewing by the public upon display or board 46, or televisionmonitors, not shown.

[0033] Lastly, the fourth camera 90 is also adapted to be disposedwithin the vicinity, but just outside, of the green area so as not tointerfere with the incoming tee shots, and has operatively associatedtherewith a camera controller 110 which is also operatively connected tothe tee unit 30 by means of a suitable communication line or link 112 soas to be activated by means of the tee unit 30 when a tee shot is aboutto be driven by means of a participating golfer. The camera controller110 is, in turn, operatively connected to the camera 90 by means of asuitable communication line or link 114, and in this manner, the camera90 can be activated by means of the tee unit 30 so as to be utilized to,for example, televise and videotape the disposition of the tee shots ofthe participating golfers upon the green area and with respect to thehole or cup 52. Most importantly, the camera 90 comprises suitablecomputer programming which enables the camera 90 to accurately measurethe respective distances of the various golf ball tee shots from thehole or cup 52. Again, the video images of fourth camera 90 can also betransmitted back to the club house for viewing by the public upon thedisplay or board 46, or upon auxiliary television monitors, not shown.

[0034] As can be better appreciated from FIG. 4, both of the cameras88,90 are mounted upon a vertical standard 116 located off to one sideof the green 118 and can be respectively controlled by means of theircamera controllers 104,110 so as to achieve tilt adjustments asschematically indicated by means of the double-headed arrow T as well aspanning adjustments as schematically indicated by means of thedouble-headed arrow P. Camera 88 can therefore be suitably adjusted soas to in fact properly encompass the entire field of view, asschematically noted by the arrows F, of the green whereby detection oftee shots upon the outskirts or peripheral regions of the green can beachieved. Camera 90 is further able to achieve zoom-in/zoom-outmovements whereby, for example, when the camera 90 is disposed in itszoom-out mode, the camera 90 is capable of encompassing or viewing arelatively wide field of view as denoted by means of the arrows Z/O,whereas when the camera 90 is disposed in its zoom-in mode, the camera90 is capable of encompassing or viewing a relatively narrow field ofview as denoted by means of the arrows Z/I. Accordingly, when the camera90 is disposed in its zoom-out mode, and is also moved in its tiltingand panning modes T,P, it is capable of in effect viewing the entiregreen area 118 so as to be able to detect the particular location orplacement of the cup or hole 52 and the associated flag pole 68. As iswell-known in golf, the cup or hole 52, and the associated flag pole 68,are moved, upon a predetermined cyclical basis as conventionallydetermined by means of golf course management personnel, betweendifferent green positions or locations 52,52′,68,68′. Accordingly, inproperly positioning or orienting the camera 90 in connection with acurrent round of golf and the particular contest or challenge, thezoom-out, panning, and tilting modes permit the camera 90 to in fact beinitially calibrated by detecting the current position or location ofthe cup or hole 52,52′ and the flag pole 68,68′. Once the cup or hole52,52′ and the flag pole 68,68′ have in fact been detected, the camera90 is locked in such position with respect to its tilting and panningmovements T,P, with the cup and pin location effectively centered withinthe camera's field of view, and subsequently, the camera 90 is shiftedto its zoom-in mode whereby the camera 90 will then view that area ofthe green 120,120′ which surrounds the cup or hole 52,52′ and the flagpole 68,68′ and within which the tee shots must land to be consideredvalid entries in the closest-to-the-pin contest. It is to be noted thatwhile the camera 90, for example, has been noted or described as being avideo camera, any other similarly operative visual or optical implementcan of course be employed as long as such is capable of, for example,visually measuring or determining the distances of the golf ball teeshots from the cup or hole 52,52′.

[0035] One mode of operation that is contemplated in accordance with theuse of such distance-measuring video cameras 90 is to incorporateappropriate or suitable software therewithin which effectivelysuperimposes, for example, a geometrical grid over the viewed green area120,120′ wherein, as is known, the grid comprises rows and columns ofpixels. As is further well known, since there is a finite number ofpixels per inch, when the software of the camera determines the numberof pixels that exist, for example, between the particular golf balldetected upon the defined green area 120,120′ and the cup or hole52,52′, such information can be readily converted into distancemeasurements. The camera 90 and its software can of course differentiateor distinguish between the different golf balls upon the green area120,120′, and their relative positions with respect to each other,whereby the particular location or distance of each golf ball from thecup or hole 52,52′ can be readily determined, put into the memory of thecomputer of the green unit 50 for transmission, in turn, back to the teeunit 30 for display upon the screen 42, as well as into the club housecomputer 12, the club house display monitor or board 46, and the like.Such information can of course be transmitted from the camera 90 to theclub house computer 12, as well as to the central computer 18, by anywired or wireless links or lines similar to those previously discussedin connection with the various connections defined, for example betweenthe club house computer 12, central computer 18, the tee unit 30, thegreen unit 50, and the like. Still further, it is to be understood thatin lieu of the aforenoted pixel-grid distance measuring format, suitableultrasonic, triangulation, or similar techniques may likewise beemployed. Sensors may even be employed to detect predetermined frequencysignals transmitted from the golf balls.

[0036] Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the principles andteachings of the present invention, there has been disclosed a new andimproved golf tee shot-green placement monitoring and measuring systemwherein, in addition to the provision of a plurality of cameras formonitoring the outbound tee shot from the tee, the inbound tee shot tothe green, and a panoramic view of the green to ensure the validplacement of tee shots upon the green, including contest-winning teeshots that have landed upon an outskirt or peripheral region of thegreen, a fourth camera is provided for actually facilitating oraccomplishing the measurement of the distances of tee shots, which havelanded upon the green, from the cup or hole in conjunction with aclosest-to-the-pin contest or challenge among participating golfers. Thecamera is initially calibrated in a zoom-out mode so as to detect thepresence and location of the cup or hole, and its associated pin, thecamera is then positionally locked upon such location with the cup orhole, and the associated pin, at the center of the camera's field ofview, and the camera is then operated in a zoom-in mode such that thecamera's field of view is now narrowed to a region of the green withinwhich the tee shots must be placed in order to be valid entries into theclosest-to-the-pin contest or challenge. In addition to the aforenotedon-the-green and closest-to-the-pin contests or challenges, theapparatus or system of the present invention also comprises hole-in-onedetection components.

[0037] Obviously, many variations and modifications of the presentinvention are possible in light of the foregoing teachings. It istherefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims,the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed herein.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent ofthe United States of America, is:
 1. A golf tee shot-green placementmeasurement system, for use in connection with golf challenge contests,comprising: a golf ball cup member disposed upon a predetermined greenarea of a predetermined hole of a golf region upon which golf balls canbe shot; and means disposed adjacent to, but outside of, saidpredetermined green area of said predetermined hole of said golf regionfor measuring the distance of a golf ball, hit from the tee of saidpredetermined hole of said golf region and disposed upon saidpredetermined green area of said predetermined hole of said golf region,from said golf ball cup member so as to determine closest-to-the-pingolf challenge contest results.
 2. The system as set forth in claim 1,wherein: said distance measuring means comprises a device selected fromthe group comprising a video camera, visual equipment, and opticalimplement.
 3. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said videocamera has software incorporated therein which effectively superimposesa grid, comprising rows and columns of pixels, over said predeterminedgreen area of said predetermined hole of said golf region so as tomeasure the distance of the golf ball from said golf ball cup member inaccordance with a predetermined number of pixels per inch of distance.4. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said video camera ismounted upon a vertically oriented standard; and a camera controller isoperatively connected to said video camera for moving said video camerawithin vertically oriented tilting modes, horizontally oriented panningmodes, and zoom-in/zoom-out field-of-view modes for adjusting the fieldsof view of said video camera with respect to said green area of saidpredetermined hole of said golf region.
 5. The system as set forth inclaim 1, further comprising: means operatively associated with saidgreen area of said predetermined hole of said golf region for detectingthe presence of a golf ball as being upon an outskirt portion of saidgreen area of said predetermined hole of said golf region.
 6. The systemas set forth in claim 1, further comprising: means disposed upon saidtee of said predetermined hole of said golf region for activating saidmeasuring means disposed adjacent to, but outside of, said predeterminedgreen area of said predetermined hole of said golf region for apredetermined time period which extends for a sufficient time for saidgolfer to drive his tee shot from said tee area of said predeterminedhole of said golf region, for said tee shot to land upon saidpredetermined green area of said predetermined hole of said golf region,and for said measuring means to measure the distance of the golf ball,hit from said tee of said predetermined hole of said golf region anddisposed upon said predetermined green area of said predetermined holeof said golf region, to said golf ball cup member.
 7. The system as setforth in claim 6, wherein: said activating means is operativelyconnected to said measuring means by means of a communication link. 8.The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said communication link isse elected from the group comprising a hardwire, a wireless, a radiofrequency, a satellite link, and a fiber optic communication link. 9.The system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: means disposedupon said predetermined green area of said predetermined hole of saidgolf region for determining the condition placement of said tee shot asbeing within said golf ball cup member as a hole-in-one.
 10. The systemas set forth in claim 9, wherein: said means for determining said teeshot as a hole-in-one comprises is disposed within said golf ball cupmember and is selected from the group comprising a photodetector and asolenoid mechanism.
 11. The system as set forth in claim 6, furthercomprising: first computer means disposed within a club house of saidgolf region for issuing a ticket card, having encoded data thereon withrespect to the golfer, to the golfer for enabling the golfer toparticipate in a hole-in-one contest comprising placing said tee shotdirectly within said golf ball cup member, for enabling the golfer toparticipate in an on-the-green contest comprising placing said tee shotupon an outskirt portion of said green area, and for enabling the golferto participate in a closest-to-the-pin contest comprising placing saidtee shot within a specified distance from said golf ball cup member;second computer means disposed upon said tee area for accepting saidencoded data from said ticket card, for comparing said accepted encodeddata with said encoded data disposed within said first computer means,and for validating said ticket card whereby said second computer meanscan activate said measuring means disposed upon said green area; andthird computer means disposed upon said green area for recording dataconcerning tee shots as holes-in-one, upon outskirt portions of saidgreen area, and within predetermined distances from said golf ball cupmember.
 12. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein: said first,second, and third computer means are operatively connected to each otherby communication links selected from the group comprising a hardwire, awireless, a radio frequency, a satellite, and a fiber opticcommunication link.
 13. The system as set forth in claim 3, furthercomprising: a second video camera disposed adjacent to said tee area forvisually tracking said tee shot outbound from said tee area; a thirdvideo camera disposed adjacent to said green area for visually trackingsaid tee shot inbound to said green area; and a fourth video cameradisposed adjacent to said green area for monitoring said green area in apanoramic mode so as to ensure that any golf balls disposed upon saidgreen area comprise only legitimate tee shots from said tee area to saidgreen area so as to qualify as on-the-green tee shots.
 14. The system asset forth in claim 11, further comprising: display means disposed withinsaid club house and upon said tee area for displaying contest data whengolfers are participating in a contest upon said predetermined hole ofsaid golf region, and for displaying advertising material when golfersare not participating in a contest upon said predetermined hole of saidgolf region.
 15. A method for measuring the distance of a golf tee shotwhen said golf tee shot lands upon a green area of a hole of a golfregion for use in connection with closest-to-the-pin golf challengecontests, comprising the steps of: providing a golf ball cup memberdisposed upon a predetermined green area of a predetermined hole of agolf region; and using means, disposed adjacent to, but outside of, saidpredetermined green area of said predetermined hole of said golf region,to measure the distance of a golf ball, hit from the tee of saidpredetermined hole of said golf region and disposed upon saidpredetermined green area of said predetermined hole of said golf region,from said golf ball cup member so as to determine closest-to-the-pingolf challenge contest results.
 16. The method as set forth in claim 15,further comprising the steps of: using, as said distance measuringmeans, a device selected from the group comprising a video camera,visual equipment, and optical implement.
 17. The method as set forth inclaim 16, further comprising the step of: using a video camera as saidmeans for measuring said distance of said golf ball tee shot, disposedupon said green area of said predetermined hole of said golf region,from said golf ball cup holder.
 18. The method as set forth in claim 17,further comprising the steps of: disposing said video camera in azoom-out mode; tilting and panning said video camera while in saidzoom-out mode so as to detect the location of said golf ball cup holderand an associated flag pole; locking said video camera in position so asto center said golf ball cup member and said flag pole within the fieldof view of said video camera; and disposing said video camera in azoom-in mode so as to narrow said field of view of said video camera toa predetermined field of view within which golf balls must be located soas to qualify as entries in said closest-to-thepin golf challengecontest.
 19. The method as set forth in claim 17, further comprising thestep of: incorporating software within said video camera for effectivelysuperimposing a grid, comprising rows and columns of pixels, over saidpredetermined green area of said predetermined hole of said golf regionso as to measure the distance of the golf ball from said golf ball cupmember in accordance with a predetermined number of pixels per inch ofdistance.
 20. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprisingthe steps of: using first computer means disposed within a club house ofsaid golf region for issuing a ticket card, having encoded data thereonwith respect to the golfer, to the golfer for enabling the golfer toparticipate in a hole-in-one contest comprising placing said tee shotdirectly within said golf ball cup member, for enabling the golfer toparticipate in an on-the-green contest comprising placing said tee shotupon an outskirt portion of said green area, and for enabling a golferto participate in a closest-to-the-pin contest comprising placing saidtee shot within a specified distance from said golf ball cup member;using second computer means disposed upon said tee area for acceptingsaid encoded data from said ticket card, for comparing said acceptedencoded data with said encoded data disposed within said first computermeans, and for validating said ticket card whereby said second computermeans can activate said measuring means disposed upon said green area;and using third computer means disposed upon said green area forrecording data concerning tee shots as holes-in-one, upon outskirtportions of said green area, and within predetermined distances fromsaid golf ball cup member.
 21. The method as set forth in claim 20,further comprising the step of: operatively interconnecting said first,second, and third computer means to each other by communication linksselected from the group comprising a hardwire, a wireless, a radiofrequency, a satellite, and a fiber optic communication link.
 22. Themethod as set forth in claim 17, further comprising the step of: using asecond video camera disposed adjacent to said tee area for visuallytracking said tee shot outbound from said tee area; using a third videocamera disposed adjacent to said green area for visually tracking saidtee shot inbound to said green area; and using a fourth video cameradisposed adjacent to said green area for monitoring said green area in apanoramic mode so as to ensure that any golf balls disposed upon saidgreen area comprise only legitimate tee shots from said tee area to saidgreen area so as to qualify as on-the-green tee shots.
 23. The method asset forth in claim 19, further comprising the step of: displayingcontest data upon display means disposed within said club house and uponsaid tee area when golfers are participating in a contest upon saidpredetermined hole of said golf region, and displaying advertisingmaterial upon said display means when golfers are not participating in acontest upon said predetermined hole of said golf region.